Destrehan head coach Stephen Robicheaux has talked about his team’s need to play a physical brand of football early in the season. Their visitor to Wildcat Stadium this Friday night will be happy to go toe-to-toe in that brand of football.
It’ll be a battle of quality 5A public and private school programs when Destrehan hosts St. Paul’s Friday night, the Wolves bringing a hard-nosed style that the Wildcats will have to be prepared to match, said Destrehan coach Stephen Robicheaux. Both teams enter unbeaten at 2-0.
“They’re a smashmouth team that does a great job of using their personnel,” Robicheaux said. “They’re very methodical. They don’t make a lot of mistakes and they run inside the tackles. They want to push you around. Physical, physical team. They won’t go downfield a whole lot, they want to march down the field four to five yards at a time. We’re gonna have to muscle up and play a physical football game.”
The Destrehan offensive line is bigger across than it has been in recent years, and the team’s running game has reflected that through the rushing numbers of Kyle Edwards, Razan Keller and quarterback Damaris Jackson. St. Paul is no slouch in the run defense department, though.
“They have two in the middle that do a tremendous job of plugging it up,” Robicheaux said. “They’re strong kids who play great technique, as do the two they have on the end. Their linebackers make plays. They’re well-coached … they remind you of a Jesuit-type of team.”
The Wolves offensive line isn’t a large group, meanwhile, but those players are more than happy to mix it up on the line of scrimmage.
Grant Billson is only a sophomore, but the Wolves’ quarterback is a capable passer than can hurt the Wildcats if they overplay the run.
“He does a really good job of running that offense. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes at all,” Robicheaux said.
Running back Carter Elie is a slasher, while fullback bruiser at 220 lbs and figures to handle a strong share of touches. Danny Sears, a converted running back, is a tight end/H-back and a versatile weapon.
“He’s really impressive,” Robicheaux said. “He’s a fullback type, a former H-back, and he moves the pile when he gets the ball.”
The Wolves’ receivers are quality players too, Caleb Frost among the leaders of that group.
“When they do throw it, those guys seem to catch everything that comes their way,” Robicheaux said.
300 lb. nose guard Gavin Clayton and defensive end Jacob Frolich are two who key the Wolves up front. Safety Dominic Maestri and linebacker Ian McCarthy are playmakers in the back seven.
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